Speech Therapy for
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. The cause remains largely unknown. Individuals with Parkinson’s disease often have difficulty producing a strong and clear voice. Symptoms generally develop slowly over the years. The progression of symptoms is often a bit different from one person to another due to the diversity of the disease. Speech therapy can help you or your loved one regain the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
A Speech & Language Evaluation is recommended if you or your loved one are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Speech that is difficult to understand
- A weak or soft sounding voice
- Trialing off at the end of sentences
- Difficulty with swallowing
Our SLPs are certified in two programs specific to improving and maintaining speech skills for those with Parkinson’s disease:
Speak OUT!
Speak OUT! is a therapy approach developed by Parkinson Voice Project that combines education, individual speech therapy, and ongoing group sessions to help people with Parkinson’s improve their speech and voice. The program is based on principles of motor learning and teachings.
DURATION: 12 treatment sessions with ongoing group therapy for maintenance
LEARN MORE: www.parkinsonvoiceproject.org
LSVT Loud
Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT) Loud trains people with Parkinson’s to use their voice at a more normal loudness level while speaking at home, work, or in the community. Key to the treatment is helping people “recalibrate” their perceptions so they know how loud or soft they sound to other people and become comfortable using a stronger voice at a normal loudness level.
DURATION: 4 weeks, 4 sessions each week plus daily homework and carryover exercises.
LEARN MORE: www.lsvtglobal.com